Bangladeshi joint forces detained three Indian citizens in Khagrachhari’s Panchhari area on Wednesday evening for allegedly entering the country illegally. The men were identified as residents of Tripura’s Gomati district and were apprehended while attempting to return to India through the border. They were later sent to jail custody by a local court on Thursday.

According to police, the detainees—James Kumar Riang (33), Tarsen Riang (30), and Lal Thakma Riang (32)—had entered Bangladesh through a remote route in Dighinala’s Rupsenpara area without valid travel documents. During interrogation, they admitted to crossing the border without passports. Law enforcement recovered their Aadhaar cards, mobile phones, and cash. A case has been filed under the Foreigners Act for illegal entry.

Officials said the incident underscores ongoing challenges in monitoring the porous Bangladesh–India border in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Security agencies have increased patrols to prevent further unauthorized crossings amid heightened regional vigilance.

Australia has expressed interest in prioritizing Bangladesh as its second production destination for the cotton and wool industry. The announcement came during the sixth round of Senior Officials’ Talks (SOT) between Bangladesh and Australia, held in Dhaka. The meeting was co-chaired by Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam, Secretary (Bilateral–East and West) of Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Sarah Storey, First Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

The dialogue covered a wide range of bilateral issues including trade, investment, renewable energy, maritime cooperation, and technology exchange. Australia reaffirmed its support for Bangladesh’s interim government and reform initiatives, emphasizing the importance of a free and fair upcoming national election. Both sides also discussed cooperation in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and anti–money laundering efforts.

The talks concluded with the signing of a memorandum of understanding on employment for dependents of diplomatic and consular staff. The next round of SOT is scheduled to take place in Canberra next year, signaling continued momentum in the growing partnership.

Saudi Arabia is experiencing widespread storms and heavy rainfall across most regions, prompting warnings of potential flash floods if weather conditions do not improve soon. The National Center for Meteorology (NCM) reported that strong winds and rain have hit Makkah, Madinah, Qassim, Riyadh, the Eastern Province, and the Northern Border Region. Moderate rainfall and fog have also been observed in Hail, Tabuk, Al Jouf, and the southwestern areas.

According to the NCM, the current weather pattern is driven by a deep low-pressure system over the Red Sea, causing winds between 18 and 40 kilometers per hour, with gusts possibly reaching 50 kilometers per hour. The stormy conditions have also extended to the Persian Gulf, where winds are sweeping toward Saudi Arabia’s southern regions.

Such intense weather events are relatively rare in the desert climate of Saudi Arabia, though similar storms have occurred several times in recent years. Authorities are urging residents to remain cautious and avoid flood-prone areas as the situation develops.

Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) employees have announced a strike starting December 12 at 7 a.m., suspending all metro rail passenger services in Dhaka. The workers say the decision follows the authorities’ failure to finalize and publish the company’s employment regulations, despite repeated assurances. The strike is expected to disrupt daily commuting for thousands of passengers in the capital.

Officials and employees stated that since DMTCL’s establishment in 2013, no formal employment policy has been approved for its more than 900 staff. Workers recruited after the metro’s commercial launch in December 2022 claim they have been denied essential benefits such as leave, provident fund, gratuity, shift allowance, overtime, and group insurance. They noted that an advisory committee had directed completion of the job rules within 60 working days from September 2024, but the deadline passed without progress.

The strike underscores growing frustration among employees after multiple unfulfilled promises by management. Unless resolved quickly, the standoff could affect Dhaka’s public transport reliability and erode confidence in the city’s flagship infrastructure project.

U.S. President Donald Trump has introduced a new ‘Gold Card’ visa program aimed at wealthy foreign investors willing to contribute at least $1 million. Announced via his Truth Social account and later confirmed to reporters, the initiative promises expedited U.S. residency and a direct path to citizenship for qualified applicants. The program is being managed through the website TrumpCard.gov, where applicants must first pay a $15,000 processing fee before submitting their forms.

According to U.S. officials, applicants approved under the scheme will be required to make a $1 million “contribution,” described as a gift on the official site. Holders of the Gold Card visa will enjoy rights similar to those of Green Card holders, including permanent residence and work authorization. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told Reuters that roughly 10,000 people have already pre-registered for the visa, with expectations of significant revenue generation.

Analysts say the program could attract global investors but may also spark debate over the ethics of selling citizenship. Further details on implementation and oversight are expected in the coming weeks.

A tense rescue operation is underway in Tanore upazila of Rajshahi, Bangladesh, to save a two-year-old boy named Sajid who fell into a narrow 8-inch-wide borehole and became trapped about 35 feet underground. The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon in Koelhat Purbo Para village, when Sajid accidentally slipped into the unused well while playing near a field.

Three units of the Fire Service and Civil Defence have been working continuously for over 21 hours to rescue the child. Officials said oxygen is being supplied through a pipe to help him survive, while excavators dig around the site. Assistant Director Didarul Islam of the Rajshahi Fire Service confirmed that local residents initially attempted a rescue but caused soil to collapse into the hole, complicating the operation.

Authorities estimate that it may take several more hours to reach Sajid. The borehole, originally drilled for irrigation a year ago but left uncovered, has raised concerns about rural safety and the need for stricter oversight of abandoned wells.

A mild cold wave has swept across Tetulia in northern Bangladesh as temperatures dropped to 9.2°C early Thursday, marking the season’s lowest reading so far. The region, located in Panchagarh district, has been experiencing persistent cold for several days due to chilly Himalayan winds. Despite sunny mornings, the air remains cold and damp, with humidity recorded at 99 percent.

Local residents, particularly low-income workers, are struggling to cope with the sudden cold. Many have reported difficulties working outdoors or in rivers, while hospitals are seeing a rise in cold-related illnesses, especially among children and the elderly. In response, the district administration has distributed 8,640 blankets across 43 unions using funds from the Disaster Management Department and requested an additional 65,000 blankets from the ministry.

Officials warn that temperatures may fall further in the coming days, urging residents to take precautions as the cold wave intensifies across northern Bangladesh.

Residents of Sylhet experienced two consecutive earthquakes just five minutes apart in the early hours of Wednesday, December 10. According to India’s National Center for Seismology, the first quake occurred at 2:20:31 a.m. with a magnitude of 3.5 and a depth of 20 kilometers, followed by a second tremor at 2:25:14 a.m. measuring 3.3 in magnitude and 30 kilometers deep. No immediate reports of damage or casualties were recorded.

The same night, a 4.3-magnitude earthquake struck the Bay of Bengal at 3:38 a.m., while another tremor of magnitude 3.7 was reported in Myanmar around 2:54 a.m. Earlier in December, several mild to moderate quakes were recorded across Bangladesh, including in Dhaka, Cox’s Bazar, and Chattogram.

Experts note that the recent sequence of tremors highlights the region’s seismic vulnerability, particularly along the Indo-Burma fault line. Authorities have urged residents to remain cautious and ensure structural safety measures as minor quakes continue to occur across the region.

A criminal case has been filed against five individuals, including a former Additional Superintendent of Police and a former Public Prosecutor, in Satkhira, Bangladesh. The case, lodged by former Debhata Upazila Chairman Md. Al Ferdous Alfa, accuses the defendants of demanding extortion money, abduction, and physical assault related to a 2019 incident involving the seizure of seafood worth approximately 15 million taka.

According to the complaint, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) seized the fish shipment, after which police officials allegedly demanded 10 million taka from the plaintiff. When he refused, he and his brother were reportedly abducted and tortured. The plaintiff further claims that the confiscated fish were later sold at a fraction of their value and that additional bribes were taken under the pretext of securing bail.

The Satkhira Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate accepted the case and ordered the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to investigate. The next hearing is set for April 20, 2026, with the case highlighting ongoing concerns about police corruption and abuse of power in regional law enforcement.

Malaysian immigration authorities detained 101 foreign workers, including 86 Bangladeshi nationals, during a late-night raid on a popular Middle Eastern restaurant in Kuala Lumpur’s Bukit Bintang district. The operation, conducted around 11:10 p.m. on Tuesday, targeted a five-story building following allegations that undocumented foreign workers were employed there without valid permits.

Wan Mohammad Saupi Wan Yusuf, director of Kuala Lumpur Immigration, confirmed that documents of 111 migrants and six local staff were examined. Among those detained were 86 Bangladeshis, 12 Syrians, and two Indonesians, along with the local restaurant manager. Officials stated that some workers held permits for other sectors—such as construction, retail, cleaning, or factory work—but not for restaurant employment.

Authorities said the detainees, aged between 21 and 40, are being held for further investigation under Malaysia’s immigration laws. The raid underscores ongoing enforcement efforts against illegal employment practices in the hospitality sector, which has seen increased scrutiny amid labor policy reforms.

Authorities in Dhaka’s Keraniganj have disconnected electricity and gas lines to a seven-story building that tilted following a recent earthquake. The Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) took the action on Wednesday after the owner failed to vacate the structure despite repeated warnings. The building, located near the Jinjira Ferry Ghat in Lachmonganj, remains occupied even after being declared unsafe.

RAJUK Executive Magistrate Belayet Hossain said the building, owned by local resident Sattar Mia, was constructed without design approval. A technical team from the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) classified it as “risky” and recommended immediate evacuation. Officials from RAJUK, the local police, and Dhaka Palli Bidyut Samity participated in the operation to cut utility connections. The owner claimed he had requested more time before evacuation.

Authorities stated that further action will depend on a detailed report from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). The incident highlights ongoing safety concerns over unauthorized high-rise construction in the capital’s outskirts.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard rescued eight fishermen who had been held hostage by the notorious Jahangir pirate gang in the Sundarbans. Acting on a tip-off, a special operation was launched near the Chhoto Dagra canal of the Shibsha River, where the captives were found along with a single-barrel gun, four live cartridges, and seven empty shells. The pirates managed to flee deep into the forest before the raid.

According to Coast Guard media officer Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq, the rescued fishermen were safely handed over to their families on Wednesday morning. The victims, all residents of Koyra upazila in Khulna district, said they had been detained for seven days and tortured as the gang attempted to extort ransom money.

Authorities have intensified surveillance in the Sundarbans region to curb piracy and ensure the safety of local fishing communities. The Coast Guard continues to pursue the Jahangir gang, which has long been linked to kidnapping and extortion in the coastal areas.

A two-year-old boy named Sajid fell about 35 feet into an eight-inch-wide borehole in Rajshahi’s Tanore upazila on Wednesday afternoon. The incident occurred in Koelhat Purbo Para village when the child accidentally slipped into an abandoned semi-deep tube well hole while playing near a field where his mother was collecting rice straw. Three units of the Fire Service and Civil Defence from Tanore, Chapainawabganj, and Rajshahi Sadar are engaged in a complex rescue operation.

According to officials, oxygen is being supplied through a pipe to keep the child alive, while an excavator is digging beside the borehole to reach him. Assistant Director Didarul Islam of Rajshahi Fire Station said that local residents had attempted a rescue before firefighters arrived, causing some soil to fall into the hole. Rescue teams have used cameras to locate the child but have not yet received a clear response.

Authorities estimate that the operation may take another three to four hours. Local residents have gathered anxiously at the site, hoping for Sajid’s safe recovery.

Mobile phone traders in Dhaka’s Karwan Bazar staged a major protest on Wednesday, blocking traffic at the busy SARC Fountain intersection. Their single-point demand was the resignation of Fayez Ahmad Tayyeb, special assistant to the chief adviser in charge of the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology. The demonstration began around 5:40 p.m., with traders setting fire to tires and wooden planks, chanting slogans, and reportedly vandalizing a vehicle.

Police confirmed that traffic in and around the area came to a complete halt, causing severe congestion and hardship for commuters. The traders also called for reforms to the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR), the abolition of alleged syndicate control in the mobile market, and permission for open mobile imports. The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) recently announced that NEIR will be implemented from December 16, requiring registration of all mobile devices.

Traders argue that the current NEIR framework and import restrictions threaten their livelihoods. Authorities have increased police presence, but tensions remain high as negotiations are yet to begin.

Bangladesh’s Home Affairs Adviser, Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, announced that a joint security operation will be conducted in Raipura to suppress terrorist activity and illegal arms. Speaking during a visit to Narsingdi District Jail on Wednesday, he said the area has become a hotspot for armed groups, prompting the need for coordinated action involving the army, police, and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).

The adviser noted that traditional weapons have evolved into more dangerous arms, requiring immediate legal action against offenders. He also addressed the July 19 incident in which Narsingdi jail was set on fire, allowing inmates to escape. Many have since surrendered or been recaptured, and a number of stolen weapons have been recovered. Most of the inmates were drug-related offenders, prompting the government to consider establishing a special prison for drug convicts.

Senior police officials, including Narsingdi Superintendent of Police Abdullah Al Faruq, accompanied the adviser during his inspection of police facilities and the district jail.